Vaccinating devices



Nov. 6, 1962 H. KRAVITZ ETAL VACCINATING DEVICES Filed Aug. 8. 19603,062,212 Patented Nov. 6, 1962,

3,062,212 VACCINATING DEVICES Harvey Kravitz, 9243 Avers Ave., Skokie,111., and Norman Lettvin, 527 Roscoe St, Chicago 13, Iii. Filed Aug. 8,1960, Ser. No. 48,240 Claims. (1. 128-253) This invention relates to animproved device for vaccinating and more particularly this invention isan improvement over our issued Patent No. 2,817,336.

In the said Patent No. 2,817,336, there is disclosed the desirability ofobtaining as uniform and small a scar as possible resulting from avaccination, such as for smallpox and the like. The device of the saidpatent produces multiple simultaneous punctures or scarifications in avaccinating operation. In the copending application of Harvey Kravitz,Serial No. 46,730, filed August 1, 1960, which application is commonlyowned by the inventors and owners of this application, there isdisclosed a particular mechanical construction that includes a clusterof specific puncture points which has been created and designed toproduce satisfactory multiple punctures in a vaccinating operation.There is also disclosed in said copending appli-v cation a novel andgreatly improved method of utilizing the specific vaccinator, whichmethod comprises loading the cluster of points of the vaccinator withvaccine prior to pressing the cluster of points against the skin of avaccinee.

Now, the principal object of the instant invention is to provide animproved vaccinating device that readily lends itself to manualmanipulation in the effecting of vaccinations and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a thumbactuatedvaccinator which particularly takes advantage of the desirable featuresattendant with loading of vaccine on the vaccinator prior to effecting avaccinating operation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a vaccinatingdevice which may be readily carried by the thumb to permit thevaccinating device to be conveniently slipped on, then used, andthereafter discarded.

As will become apparent hereinafter, this invention resolves about theconcept of removably securing the vaccinating device to the thumb of onehand of the person administering the vaccination. This leaves theremainder of the hand free, thereby permitting said hand to grasp aportion of the body of the vaccinee immediately adjacent the area wherethe vaccination is to be efiected. This grasping of the body steadiesthe thumb-carried vaccinator and permits its use in a carefullycontrolled operation without having to attach the vaccinator to thevaccinee prior to effecting the multiple punctures required in avaccinating operation. The mechanism herein thus provides for quick,effective and efficient vaccinations. The mechanism here disclosed isparticularly useful with the method which utilizes the loading of thevaccine onto the multiple puncture points, as disclosed in the saidcopending application of Harvey Kravitz, Serial No. 46,730.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent asthe following description proceeds and the features of novelty whichcharacterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity inthe claims annexed to and forming of this specification.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one form of the vaccinating devicethat may be utilized in a thumb-actuated vaccinating operation;

FIGURE 2 illustrates the manner in which the vaccinator of FIGURE 1 issecured to a persons thumb;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating use of thevaccinator of FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view illustrating a modified form ofthumb-actuated vaccinating device; and

FIGURE 5 shows still another form of thumb-actuated vaccinating device.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG- URE 1 a first formof vaccinator embodying the invention herein and which is generallyindicated at 10. The vaccinator it includes an elongated flexble strip12 that may be of plastic or fabric, as known in the art of packagedbandages, and which has a pair of pressure-sensitive, adhesive-carryingportions 14 on one side of strip 12 which are spaced on opposite sidesof a central portion of strip 1.2 which carries a scarifying, ormultiple puncture, means, generally indicated at 15. Thepressure-sensitive-adhesive portions 14 of tape 12 are desirablyprotected by removable protector strips 16. The scarifying means 15includes a square, thin but rigid, pressure base 18, a raised platform20 extending outwardly therefrom, and a plurality of closely clusteredpressure points 22 on platform 20. The specific details of constructionof such a scarifier are more fully disclosed and described in the saidcopending application, Serial No. 46,730. The scarifying means 15 areretained on strip 12 by overlying retainer strips 23 or the like. Thescarifying means 15, which includes base 18, platform 20 and points 22is unitarily formed from stainless steel or from an acrylic plastic suchas Lucite.

In the use of the device illustrated in FIGURE 1, theadhesive-protecting strips 16 are first removed and the flexible strip12 is then wrapped around the extended end of a thumb T, as indicated bythe arrow in FIGURE 2, so that the central portion of strip 12 withpressure base 18 thereon is positioned against the thumb pad. The thumbpad is that portion of the thumb that is located opposite the thumbnail.The length of the strip 12 is such that there are overlapping portions,as seen in FIGURE 2, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive part 14 that ispositioned between the overlapping portions of the strip 12 will operateto hold the strip 12 in its wrapped condition and will securely positionthe vaccinator 10 on the thumb T, with the pressure base 18 heldsecurely against the thumb pad and with the pressure points 22 extendingoutwardly.

With the points 22 extending from the thumb unit thus defined, it willbe seen that the points 22 may be lined up with an amount of vaccinepreviously deposited on the skin of a person and by forcing the pointsagainst the skin through the vaccine, simultaneous multiple punctureswill be effected to complete a vaccinating operation.

However, in the preferable use of the device shown in FIGURES l and 2,after the vaccinator is secured to the thumb T, the tips of the pressurepoints 22 being closely clustered adjacent each other are first loadedwith a preselected amount of vaccine, or other biological substance, inthe manner as disclosed in the said copending application, Serial No.46,730, and then it is only necessary to grasp the upper arm of thevaccinee with the fingers of the hand H, and, with the thumb slightlybent back-- wardly, until it is desired to effect the vaccination,whereupon the thumb T is thrust forwardly and operates to simultaneouslyefiect multiple punctures in the skin While delivering the biologicalsubstance, such as vaccine, simultaneously to the punctured skin area soas to obtain the desired reactive association between the biologicalsubstance and the skin. The biological substance that is loaded on thepoints 22 is preferably in viscous liquid form, but in some instances itmay be in the form of a dried film that is deposited on the points, orit may even be in powdered form.

The use of the thumb unit, as disclosed in FIGURES 1-3, is verydesirable because it permits the doctor, nurse, or other technician, toremovably mount, or assemble, the

vaccinator on one thumb, thereby leaving the other hand free to load thepucture points with the vaccine or other biological substance. The closecluster of points 22 cooperates with the surface tension of the viscousliquid vaccine to retain the vaccine on the points 22 at all attitudes,including when the points 22 point straight down. Thereafter, thevaccinating procedure is very simple and merely comprises grasping thearm, or other body portion, of the individual adjacent the area where itis desired to vaccinate, with the ramainder of the hand that carries thevaccinator so as to steady the thumb, and then pressing with thumb padtoward the vaccinees upper arm. This action will press the puncturepoints 22 loaded with vaccine against the selected skin area tosimultaneously eifect multiple punctures in the skin, without drawingblood, while simultaneously applying the vaccine to the punctured skinarea for reaction therewith. The foregoing operation may be done in avery swift motion; and, particularly with infants and children, theoperation is so rapid that these young people never realize that theyhave been vaccinated. Inasmuch as present methods of vaccinating requirea substantial amount of preparation of a child or infant and, sincethese young people are frequently terrified by the proceedings, therapidity with which vaccinating can be done with the instrument heredescribed, and the fact that much of the preparation occurs on the thumbunit itself rather than on the vaccinee, completely eliminates the manypsychological problems associated with previous vaccinating procedures.After the vaccination has been effected, the thumb unit may be easilyremoved and discarded, so that a fresh thumb unit may be utilized withthe next vaccinee.

In the modified form of construction shown in FIG- URE 4, there isprovided an elongated, rigid body 30 that has an arcuate inner side 32designed and shaped to receive the pad portion of the thumb. The saidinner side 32 preferably is serrated or roughened to prevent slippingbetween the body 30 and the thumb positioned thereagainst. The length ofthe elongated body 30 is such that the ends extend beyond the width ofthe average thumb and the ends of the rigid body 30 are provided withheaded connectors 34 having reduced connecting stems 35 between theheaded connector 34 and the main portion of body 30. The outer surfaceof the rigid body 30 carries a raised platform 36 upon which ispositioned a plurality of puncture points 38. Preferably, the body 30,the platform 36, and points 38 are molded integrally from plastic suchas an acrylic or the like so as to provide an inexpensive anddiscardable unit.

A flexible rubber band 40 is provided of a length to require slightstretching to hook over the headed connectors 34. This combinationprovides in effect an expansible ring-type unit, because a doctor orother technician may then grip the ends of the body 30 between thumb andfinger of the one hand, and may then force the thumb of the other handbetween the rubber band 40 and arcuate inner side 32 of the body 34,thereby attaching the thumb unit of FIGURE 4 to his thumb withouttouching the sterile points 38. When the vaccinator of FIGURE 4 is onthe thumb, then the rubber band 40 is stretched across the thumb nailand the thumb pad is behind the portion of the body 30 upon which theplatform 36 is located.

The operation with the device of FIGURE 4 is the same as with the deviceof FIGURES 1-3, and the points 38 may preferably be loaded with vaccineand may be utilized to effect a vaccination, a shown in FIGURE 3. Afteruse, the thumb unit of FIGURE 4 may be easily removed and discarded.

In FIGURE 5, there is shown a third form of thumb unit for eifectingvaccination, and in this unit there is provided a thumb-embracing ring50 that is molded to the shape illustrated in FIGURE 5. The ring 50 isincomplete, having spaced edges 51, to accommodate expansion for thumbsof different thickness, and the material of which the ring 50 is mademay be slightly flexible adjacent the ends 51 to accommodate spreadingmovement. The center portion of the ring 50 opposite the free edges 51is fairly rigid as it serves as a pressure base and carries thereon araised platform 52 with a plurality of puncture points 54 extending fromthe platform. Preferably, the ring 50, platform 52, and points 54 aremolded integrally from an acrylic plastic, such as Lucite, or the liketo define an inexpensive and discardable thumb-carried vaccinating unit.

The inner periphery 56 of the ring 50 is generally frustoconical,thereby providing a taper for easily receiving the thumb, and the taperprovides a simple means for accommodating thumbs of various sizes.

While the devices herein have been disclosed as useful in a vaccinatingoperation, it will be understood that such devices may be used wherevermultiple puncture operations may be used or are required. Thus, suchdevices may be used in administering tuberculin tests, in virusinoculations, in administering BCG inoculations and the like. The deviceis particularly adaptable for use where a biological substance inliquid, dry, or dehydrated form is to be loaded onto the points and isto be then administered simultaneously with the effecting of multiplepunctures under thumb pressure.

Although the multiple points herein are shown arranged in a rectangulararrangement it will be understood that the spaced points may be disposedin any pre-determined pattern, such as circularly, triangularly, or thelike. While the device herein is, disclosed for mounting on the thumb,it may also be conveniently mounted on any other finger.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of thisinvention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications may be made therein without departing from theinvention and, therefore, it is intended in the appended claims to coverall such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit andscope of the invention.

What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is:

1. A device for providing simultaneous multiple punctures for use in aprocedure wherein a biological substance is to be reactingly applied onthe skin of a person; said device comprising in combination:thumb-embracing ring means having a central portion whose inner surfaceis adapted to be positioned against a thumb pad to receive operativepressure therefrom, a cluster of elongated substantially parallelpuncture points on said central portion of the ring means and extendingtransversely out- Wardly therefrom, the inner periphery of said ringmeans being generally frusto-conical to define a tapering thumbreceivinginterior recess adapted to removably and wedgingly secure the multiplepuncture device onto only the thumb of one hand of a person with saidcentral portion of the ring means positioned against the thumb pad,whereby to leave the fingers of the one hand free to grasp While thethumb remains free to selectively and controlledly manipulate saidpuncture points to a selected attitude and position from whence a singleaction by the thumb is operative to effect simultaneous multiplepunctures by the puncture points, and said tapering thumbreceivingrecess operating to effect wedging securement of the ring means ontothumbs of different sizes.

2. A device for providing simultaneous multiple punctures for use in aprocedure wherein a biological substance is to be reactingly applied onthe skin of a person; said device comprising in combination:thumb-embracing ring means having a central portion whose inner surfaceis adapted to be positioned against a thumb pad to receive operativepressure therefrom, a cluster of elongated substantially parallelpuncture points on said central portion of the ring means and extendingtransversely outwardly therefrom, the inner periphery of said ring meansbeing generally frusto-conical to define a tapering thumbreceivinginterior recess adapted to removably and wedg-v ingly secure themultiple puncture device onto only the thumb of one hand of a personwith said central portion of the ring means positioned against the thumbpad, whereby to leave the fingers of the one hand free to grasp whilethe thumb remains free to selectively and con trolledly manipulate saidpuncture points to a selected attitude and position from whence a singleaction by the thumb is operative to efiect simultaneous multiplepunctures by the puncture points, said tapering thumb-receiving recessoperating to efiect wedging securement of the ring means onto thumbs ofdiiferent sizes, and said ring means and puncture points being moldedintegrally of a plastic to provide an inexpensive, single-useinstrument.

3. A device for providing simultaneous multiple punctures for use in aprocedure wherein a biological substance is to be reactingly applied onthe skin of a person; said device comprising in combination:thumb-embracing ring means having a central portion whose inner surfaceis adapted to be positioned against a thumb pad to receive operativepressure therefrom, a cluster of elongated substantially parallelpuncture points on said central portion of the ring means and extendingtransversely outwardly therefrom, the inner periphery of said ring meansbeing generally frusto-conical to define a tapering thumb-receivinginterior recess adapted to removably and wedgingly secure the multiplepuncture device onto only the thumb of one hand of a person with saidcentral portion of the ring means positioned against the thumb pad,whereby to leave the fingers of the one hand free to grasp while thethumb remains free to selectively and controlledly manipulate saidpuncture points to a selected attitude and position from whence a singleaction by the thumb is operative to effect simultaneous multiplepunctures by the puncture points, said tapering thumb-receiving recessoperating to effect wedging securement of the ring means onto thumbs ofdifferent sizes, and said thumbembracing ring means being formed ofslightly flexible material and defining spaced edges which may be spreadapart to accommodate Wedging insertion therein of thumbs of differentthickness.

4. A device for providing simultaneous multiple punctures for use in aprocedure wherein a biological substance is to be reactingly applied onthe skin of a person; said device comprising in combination:thumb-embracing ring means having a central portion whose inner surfaceis adapted to be positioned against a thumb pad to receive operativepressure therefrom, a raised platform on the outer side of said centralportion of the ring means, a cluster of elongated substantially parallelpuncture points on said raised platform and extending transverselyoutwardly therefrom, the inner periphery of said ring means beinggenerally frusto-conical to define a tapering thumbreceiving interiorrecess adapted to removably and Wedgingly secure the multipe puncturedevice onto only the thumb of one hand of a person with said centralportion of the ring means positioned against the thumb pad, whereby toleave the fingers of the one hand free to grasp while the thumb remainsfree to selectively and controlledly manipulate said puncture points toa selected attitude and position from whence a single action by thethumb is operative to effect simultaneous multiple punctures by thepuncture points, and said tapering thumbreceiving recess operating toeffect wedging securement of the ring means onto thumbs of difierentsizes.

5. A method of applying a biological substance to the skin of anapplicatee in a reactive association with the skin, said methodcomprising, in combination, the steps of: providing a plurality ofpuncture points whose tips are clustered closely adjacent each other,removably mounting the cluster of puncture points solely on the thumb ofone hand so that said puncture points are manipulable only by action ofthe thumb, whereby to leave the entire remainder of the one hand free tograsp a portion of the body adjacent the area of the skin to which thebiological substance is to be applied, loading the cluster of pointswith an amount of the biological substnace that will be retained on thepoints at all attitudes of the points, and then pressing the puncturepoints loaded with biological substance by single thumb pressure onlyagainst a selected skin area to simultaneously effect multiple puncturesin the skin while simultaneously applying the biological substance tothe punctured skin area in reactive association with the skin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS585,007 Rambaud June 22, 1897 1,675,240 Asher June 26, 1928 2,151,846Greneker Mar. 28, 1939 2,619,962 Rosenthal Dec. 2, 1952 2,801,633Ehrlich Aug. 6, 1957 2,811,969 Shubert Nov. 5, 1957 2,817,336 Kravitz eta1 Dec. 24, 1957 2,858,830 Robins Nov. 4, 1958 OTHER REFERENCES TheLancet, A Knife for Mitral Valvotomy, vol. 266, No. 6814, April 3, 1954,page 710.

